Good dental care is one of the most important things about which an owner needs to be concerned. By the time your cat or dog reaches the age of three, 85% of them will have periodontal disease. We tend to ignore or play down this disease process. As periodontal disease develops, your pet is in silent pain. Yes, your pet is in pain. Because of the slow onset of disease, our pets adapt and accept the pain. Some pets will become mouth shy or change their eating habits. For the most part, however, our pets suffer in total silence.

The problem does not stop with the pain in the mouth. As periodontal progresses, the barriers in the mouth begin to break down. As the natural barriers break down, bacteria (germs) invade into the tissue, where the blood spreads these bacteria throughout the body. The bacteria tend to lodge and set up housekeeping in the liver, heart, and kidneys. Over time, the heart, kidneys, and liver will suffer great damage from the constant invasion. Eventually, these organs will fail. A major portion of heart, liver, and kidney failures are the result of periodontal disease. The key point is the mouth - the gateway to the overall health of our pets.

The number one myth about dental care in our pets is the feeding of dry food or dental treats will prevent periodontal disease. Think about this. If your dentist gave you a box of hard treats and told you that they would keep your mouth healthy, you would laugh. We know to keep our mouth healthy, it requires a combination of a good homecare program and professional help. Why do we feel and expect anything different when it comes to the dental care of our pets?

Good dental care starts with regular professional care. Proper dental care on a yearly schedule is important. Many owners and veterinarians try to avoid dental cleaning, allowing things to get out of hand.

The other arm of good dental care is an excellent home care program. There are many excellent home care products on the market. However, there are just as many worthless products available. The best home care program begins with a willing individual and a committed owner. Dental core should consist of:

• Daily brushing with a dental paste designed for animals.
• Abrasive chews, preferably those treated with antibacterial products.
• Avoidance of table food, especially high sugar products.

Remember: Dental treats are just that. They are treats! Just because they have the word dental in front of them doesn't mean that they are not treat.

My preference in dental products is C.E.T. products by Virbac. They developed the orginal line of quality dental products, and have been a leader in developing new quality products. C.E.T. provides a full line of dental products from specially designed toothbrushes to treated dental chews. A good homecare program will consist of :

• Daily brushing with C.E.T. dental paste
• Providing C.E.T. HexTra chews daily
• Flushing the mouth with C.E.T. oral rinse

 Good dental care will help keep your pet healthy and enjoying a quality life.

Owen Fisk